CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 3099

Introduced by Assembly Member Alvarez

February 16, 2024

An act to add and repeal Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 6750) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, relating to the California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 3099, as introduced, Alvarez. California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.
Existing law establishes various commissions within state government.
This bill would establish the California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial in the state government, with membership as prescribed, to plan and coordinate commemorations and observances and encourage celebrations throughout the state related to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This bill would require the commission to be solely supported by private or federal funds made available for the purpose of supporting the commission. Under the bill, these funds would be deposited in the Semiquincentennial Fund, which the bill would create in the State Treasury. Those funds would be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to support the activities of the commission in accordance with the bill. The bill would require the records, files, and other memoranda of the commission, other than any private possessions, to be deposited and filed with the State Archives before January 1, 2029, and would require the State Archives to receive those materials.
The provisions of the bill would become operative only if the Treasurer determines that sufficient private or federal funds have been made available. The provisions of the bill would be repealed on January 1, 2029.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) July 4, 2026, will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America.
(b) California is both the nation’s most populous and diverse state and the world’s fifth largest economy, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s past, present, and future.
(c) The Legislature establishes the California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial to celebrate California’s unique history and increase understanding of the significance of the founding of the United States.

SEC. 2.

 Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 6750) is added to Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, to read:
CHAPTER  7.5. California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial

6750.
 (a) The California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial is hereby established in the state government to plan and coordinate commemorations and observances related to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
(b) The commission shall be composed of 17 members, as follows:
(1) One member to serve as chairperson shall be appointed by the Governor
(2) One member representing California’s tribal nations shall be appointed by ____.
(3) One member of the State Assembly shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(4) One member of the State Senate shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(5) The Secretary of State or their designee.
(6) The Director of Parks and Recreation or their designee.
(7) The State Librarian.
(8) The director of the California Arts Council or their designee.
(9) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or their designee.
(10) The Consul General of Japan in California or their designee.
(11) The Consul General of Korea in California or their designee.
(12) The Consul General of Mexico in California or their designee.
(13) Five public members representing the multicultural communities in this state shall be appointed by the Governor.
(c) Members appointed to the commission pursuant to subdivision (b) shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(d) Members appointed to the commission are appointed with the purpose of encouraging celebrations throughout the state.
(e) Members appointed to the commission are charged with executing a celebration of California’s unique history that specifically pays tribute to rich and diverse histories and the past and present migration patterns that built and shaped California’s culture.
(f) (1) The commission shall be solely supported by private funds or funds made available by the federal government for the purpose of supporting the commission.
(2) The funds specified in paragraph (1) shall be deposited in the Semiquincentennial Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Funds in the Semiquincentennial Fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to support the activities of the commission in accordance with this chapter.
(g) Before January 1, 2029, the records, files, and other memoranda of the commission, other than any private possessions, shall be deposited and filed with the State Archives, which shall receive those materials.
(h) As used in this section, “commission” means the commission established pursuant to subdivision (b).
(i) This section shall become operative only if the Treasurer determines that sufficient private or federal funds, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f), have been made available.

6751.
  This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.